Opposition Urges Minister Takac and Government to Step Down over Failure at PPA

Bratislava, 22 April (TASR) - Agriculture Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) has failed to ensure the proper functioning of the Agricultural Payment Agency (PPA), which faces the loss of its accreditation following an audit carried out by the European Commission (EC), representatives of several opposition parties stated on Wednesday. As a result, hundreds of millions of euros in European funds for Slovak farmers are now at risk, they added, urging Takac to step down, along with the entire government, due to being unable to resolve the situation. "We stand before you today, calling for the resignation of Robert Fico's (Smer-SD) government, as it's now clear and confirmed by EC sources that after a thorough audit at PPA, the EC's findings were so serious that it has requested the Slovak Republic, specifically the Agriculture Ministry, to withdraw the PPA's accreditation," opposition KDH vice-chair Viliam Karas told a press conference on Wednesday. "I'm convinced that Robert Fico's government lacks the courage and political strength to replace Minister Takac by an independent expert who would win EC's trust and be able to adopt an EC-approved action plan, so that PPA could be granted a temporary accreditation," added Karas. The missing hundreds of millions of euros will, in his view, be a major problem for Slovak agriculture and the state budget. Criticising the situation surrounding the agency, the opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party added that PPA "is in peril". "On 14 April, the minister received a letter from the EC regarding the need for a temporary trial operation of the agency. This is an extremely serious issue. There are findings and measures that must be addressed immediately, or we'll lose money," stressed SaS MP Alojz Hlina, adding that the whole situation boils down to efforts to keep the old system running, with Takac tasked with ensuring continuity at the ministry. "The continuity of a system that functioned as a cash cow. But if you milk a cow until it bleeds, you destroy it. And that's exactly what's happening with PPA," stated Hlina, adding that Takac should never have been appointed as minister. "Agriculture is too important for such experiments. Milk is not produced in supermarkets but in the fields. And it's our responsibility to protect the land, forests and people from this system," added Hlina. According to opposition MP Veronika Remisova ('Slovakia' - 'For the people' caucus), the recommendation to suspend PPA's accreditation is a result of Takac's long-term failure. "Today, as clearly stated by the EC, Slovakia is not capable of guaranteeing that money for farmers is paid transparently and in line with the rules," she emphasised, adding that Takac should have been dismissed a long time ago. jrg